pucker

American  

[puhk-er] / ˈpʌk ər /

verb (used with or without object)

1. to draw or gather into wrinkles or irregular folds, as material or a part of the face; constrict.

   Worry puckered his brow.

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noun

1. a wrinkle; an irregular fold.

2. a puckered part, as of cloth tightly or crookedly sewn.

3. Archaic. a state of agitation or perturbation.

pucker British  

/ ˈpʌkə /

verb

1. to gather or contract (a soft surface such as the skin of the face) into wrinkles or folds, or (of such a surface) to be so gathered or contracted

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noun

1. a wrinkle, crease, or irregular fold

Other Word Forms

• puckerer noun
• unpuckered adjective

Etymology

Origin of pucker

1590–1600; apparently a frequentative form connected with poke ²; -er ⁶ and for the meaning purse

Example Sentences

“They knew how to make a martini that could taste like green apple but didn’t use some synthetic, chemical green apple pucker liqueur,” he says.

From Salon

These candies will have your mouth puckering — and salivating for more.

From Salon

But those who are familiar with and enjoy Robinson’s puckering brand of cringe are probably up for the challenge — which it is, in the best way.

From Salon

So, why then do so some folks willingly crave foods that make their mouths pucker and tongues tingle?

From Salon

Hashtags such as #sunburntanlines, #sunpoisoning and #sunstroke are popping up alongside videos of young men and women - some in tears - revealing deep red, almost purple, often puckered skin.

From BBC

Related Words

• crinkle